Binge eating disorder: A multisite field trial of the diagnostic criteria

Diagnostic criteria have been developed for a new eating disorder, binge eating disorder (BED), to describe the many individuals who have problems with recurrent binge eating but do not engage in the characteristic compensatory behaviors of bulimia nervosa, vomiting, or use of laxatives. The results of a multisite field trial involving 1,984 subjects indicate that the disorder is common (30.1%) among subjects attending hospital-affiliated weight control programs, but is relatively rare in the community (2.0%). The disorder is more common in females than in males and is associated with severity of obesity and a history of marked weight fluctuations. Based on these results, the DSM-IV Work Group on Eating Disorders has recommended that the disorder be considered for inclusion in DSM-IV, either as an official category or in an appendix of categories requiring further study.     

Fragile sites and high-resolution chromosome studies in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A

Affected individuals from four kindreds with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A syndrome (MEN-2A), were studied for the possible existence of a specific fragile site that might be associated with the MEN-2A gene. The chromosomes were also examined with high-resolution banding with particular emphasis on those chromosomes (#1, 10, 20, and 22) that have been implicated by previous studies from several laboratories as being associated with this disease. There was no evidence for a unique fragile site or a unique high-resolution banding pattern in subjects with MEN-2A. These findings, in combination with all previous cytogenetic studies, indicate that it is unlikely that current techniques will be useful in developing a simple cytogenetic test for this disease.     

FK 506 primary immunosuppression following emergency liver transplantation for fulminant hepatic failure

Abstract The efficacy and safety of an FK 506-compared to a cyclosporin A based immunosuppression regimen was examined in liver recipients who underwent transplantation for fulminant hepatic failure in the European FK 506 liver study. A consistent trend towards improved patient and graft survival noted in the FK 506-treated patients was apparent from the first postoperative week (e. g. patient survival: day 7, 95.5% vs. 82.1% and month 6, 72.7% vs. 60.7%). Acute (in particular intractable) rejection was less frequent in the FK 506 group (e. g. cumulative intractable rejection rate at 6 months, 6.2% vs. 22.6%). In a single centre (Kings College Hospital), 17 patients were studied in more detail. The FK 506 treatment group had improved graft function, lower steroid requirments and episodes of infection. Accompanying these benefits, apache 111 and TISS scores were lower in this group in the early posttransplant period. Intensive care discharge was earlier and both treatment groups experienced similar toxicity.     

Metformin and Rapamycin Reduce Pancreatic Cancer Growth in Obese Prediabetic Mice by Distinct MicroRNA-Regulated Mechanisms

Metformin treatment is associated with a decreased risk and better prognosis of pancreatic cancer (PC) in patients with type 2 diabetes, but the mechanism of metformin’s PC growth inhibition in the context of a prediabetic state is unknown. We used a Panc02 pancreatic tumor cell transplant model in diet-induced obese (DIO) C57BL/6 mice to compare the effects of metformin and the direct mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor rapamycin on PC growth, glucose regulation, mTOR pathway signaling, and candidate microRNA (miR) expression. In DIO/prediabetic mice, metformin and rapamycin significantly reduced pancreatic tumor growth and mTOR-related signaling. The rapamycin effects centered on decreased mTOR-regulated growth and survival signaling, including increased expression of let-7b and cell cycle–regulating miRs. Metformin (but not rapamycin) reduced glucose and insulin levels and expression of miR-34a and its direct targets Notch, Slug, and Snail. Metformin also reduced the number and size of Panc02 tumor spheres in vitro and inhibited the expression of Notch in spheroids. Our results suggest that metformin and rapamycin can both inhibit pancreatic tumor growth in obese, prediabetic mice through shared and distinct mechanisms. Metformin and direct mTOR inhibitors, alone or possibly in combination, represent promising intervention strategies for breaking the diabetes-PC link.     

The Effect of Water Absorption on Acrylic Surface Properties

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to determine whether an increased water content during thermal cycling of hot water-treated acrylic was associated with a reduction in surface hardness and an increased opacity or whitening of the surface. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten acrylic samples were treated with 30 soak cycles (cycle duration, 24 hours), using warm water (40 degrees C) and an alkaline peroxide tablet (Efferdent control group); a further ten samples were treated with boiling water (100 degrees C) and one Efferdent tablet (experimental group). Indentation hardness of the acrylic specimens was measured prior to and immediately following the completion of the warm and hot water treatments, using an automated micro-indentation system. The hydrated acrylic specimens were then allowed to air dry at room temperature (20 degrees C) and were weighed weekly until they had obtained a constant dry weight. The loss in weight of the acrylic specimens represented the maximum water absorption. RESULTS: The hot water-treated specimens were much whiter than the warm water-treated specimens. The mean reduction in hardness (H(IT)) of the acrylic specimens following the treatment with hot water and alkaline peroxide tablet was 12.9%. Treatment with warm water and alkaline peroxide resulted in a slight increase in mean hardness (2.63%). There was a significant correlation between the water content of the acrylic specimens after treatment and the percentage of change in indentation hardness (r= 0.495, p= 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: The hot water treatment of the acrylic was associated with a significant reduction in hardness. We attribute the whitening and reduction in the hardness of the hot water-treated specimens to absorption of water and a disruption of the acrylic surface structure.     

Dietary factors in oral leukoplakia and submucous fibrosis in a population-based case control study in Gujarat, India

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship of specific nutrients and food items with oral precancerous lesions among tobacco users.
DESIGN: A population-based case-control study. SETTING: Villages in Palitana taluk of Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, India.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaire, developed and validated for this population, was used to estimate nutrient intake in blinded, house-to-house interviews. Among 5018 male tobacco users, 318 were diagnosed as cases. An equal number of controls matched on age (±5 years), sex, village, and use of tobacco were selected.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Odds ratios (OR) from multiple logistic regression analysis controlling for relevant variables (type of tobacco use and economic status).
RESULTS: A protective effect of fibre was observed for both oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and leukoplakia, with 10% reduction in risk per g day^-1 ( P < 0.05). Ascorbic acid appeared to be protective against leukoplakia with the halving of risk in the two highest quartiles of intake (versus the lowest quartile: OR = 0.46 and 0.44, respectively; P < 0.10). A protective effect of tomato consumption was observed in leukoplakia and a suggestion of a protective effect of wheat in OSF.
CONCLUSION: In addition to tobacco use, intake of specific nutrients may have a role in the development of oral precancerous lesions.